“The Government was right to have announced measures in the budget to partly address this, but it is vital that they work closely with councils.

“The ability of councils to provide extra support to people to keep arrears down is becoming increasingly limited and we also remain concerned about the significant reductions in housing benefit, which can leave households struggling to pay their rent.”

The average social rent in Leicestershire councils is £76.16 per week, lower than the average for England, which is £86.40.

By March 2018, tenants owed the local authorities £2.03 million, excluding council taxes and water or heating bills.

Outstanding debts from former tenants who no longer live in council properties was £1.37 million.